Nether undergarment for men



Nov. 20, 1951 w. w. ARTZT 2,575,701

NETHER UNDERGARMENT FOR MEN Filed July 25, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET l [Ir-5:4 INVENTOR.

Nov. 20, 1951 w. w. ARTZT NETHER UNDERGARMENT FOR MEN 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 7 Filed July 25, 1950 Mum v M 1 0727 IN VEN TOR. BY 7Q Patented Nov. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFICE NEITHER UNDEHGARMENT FOR William wiArm, New Rochelle, N. Y.-

Appl ica'tion J 1113?" 25 1950; "Serial No; 175,759

13 Claims. 1,

The present invention relates to wearing alpparel and is particularly directed to improved garments, such as underdrawersor shorts.

One of the objects of the invention resides in the provision of form fitting garments of the character indicated which afierd maxi-mum comfort to the wearer in the seat, crotch andback; areas and yet retain their shape after repeateduse and laundering thereof.

Another object resides in the provision treat: ments of the character indicated which include multiple layers of knitted-fabric extending across the abdominal area, and'-which,-when worm-will readily and automatically confer-m to the-various other parts of the-wearer.

Another object-residesi-n the-provision otagarment of the character indicated having a n}; which will not-gap open when the garment-is worn.

Another object: resides in theprovi'sion of sucha garment havl-n'aa waist bandforming-expontion thereof which: provides greater' comfort to the wearer than conventional Waist" bands Another object is to provide suchgarments which. are constructed of an integral1y ,'con tinuously'knitted'rpieceof fabric.

Another object is to provide'such-i garments -in*- a simple. andeconomical manner.

Other and further objects of the'inventiorfwilb be manifest from the-followings description and a the accompanying drawings:

In accordance with theinventiomthe forego ing objects are accomplished by providing/a garment of the-character indicated which is con-= structed of a knitted fabric comprising a one piece integral body portion or form including; a crotch portion or flap, wherein the-back portion has a longitudinal.- zone, contiguou withand*in--- eluding the crotch portion,which=isof a knitlmoreyieldablelaterally than adjacentportions and-the remainder of the body portion, the zone being preferably plait-knitted and adapted to retain' its shape when relaxed and the remainder ofthe garment beingof a' conventional plain: or jersey knit or other fabric-ormateria1,.and wherein the' front has a-zoneabove-the crotch portionwhich consists of multiple layers of fabric for'the pro tection, comfort and better support for the-abdomen of the'wearer, the said.layers 'beingeprovided by folding the fabric upon itself thereby forming a fly which will remain closed wh'ile the garment is being-worn.

In the accompanying; drawings, ,whereinrhave illustrated preferred embodiments of; my: invention:

Fig 1 is a-iront view of afolded one pieciorin forundergarments or shorts embddy'm'g' t e res: ent invention as out ne ma flat "tube oft-11 ml lar-l-y knitted fabric-, s'liewn in brok'enlines;-

Fig-.- 2 is arear viewtr the folded form il-liis tra-t'ed in Figal Fig. 3 isap1an--view oran open blank provided byseveririg the one-piece form of Figs? rams- 2 along the vertical C'ri-tei Iih-e or the fir-em rates th reof;

Fig. 4 isa tron-t view -sf: a par tially obii-iplet undergarment or shorts formedfroi'ii tlie blank illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig.5 is a top View of the shbrts i n the-sate of completion of Fig";- 4

Fig. o is arear view ot the-shdrts in are state otoomnletion 'illusti atedby Fig.4;-

Fig; 7 is-a front view (iii-a (itinipileted -uriderar nient or shorts embodyingt after' the attachment: or a waist rand-t6 the ofFiEL 4,:5 a'nd 6;

Fig. & i's a top view of the waistbandrofi the shorts 'of'Fig. '1; A v

Fig. 9 is a top view, imilarto that of-Fi'gy8; of-a modified form of waist-band; i

Fig; 10 is. a planviewg similar tothatof zl -ie; 3, of an open blank from which a rxiodified ga'riner it embodying the invention may be formediand' Fig. 1-1 is a front view of l a modified underear ment or shorts formed fromthe blank shown Fig.10, 7

Referringto the"drawingsimdetail, anamore particularly to Figs; 1 and 2 thereof, .thereuis shown; in-broken lines; a-fiat' tube :ofacircularly knitted fabric" H) having a longitudi'nalzone: IQ- of a knit which is more yieldable laterally than ad jacent portions and the remainder of the tu'be. Toaccomplish-this, the zone I23 ispla'it' knittedr in a -manner to stretchreadily;whereby in a gar ment made from the tube Hl in the manner here;- inafter described the' zone: I 2'- will yield to afiord maximum comfort to the wearer inthe seat; crotchand back areas of the garment will som form readily to the parts-o-f the body of theweareil while'being worn; and will return toits orig inal shape upon removal from the body of the wearer and after repeated "washingsi 'I lf remainder of thetube- Isl may: b'e of-aconventional knit.

More particularly thmzone [2 n'1'ay 1o'edraw accord-ion knitsuch as that-illustrated; an'd scribed in United States Letters 'Patent' Noi 2,201,980;whereinaselfepleatingz machinekni e d double rib fabric has fewer 'w'ales' on I tha -inside" surface at-the' fold 1i!" iestha'n at the outside S111 face of the fold line. For example, the fabric may have one or more wales missing on one surface at every sixth, eighth or tenth wale position and have two adjacent wales missing in the other surface at every fifth and sixth, seventh and eighth, or ninth and tenth Wale position, respectively, with the missing wales on one surface being generally equidistantly staggered in relation to the missing wales of the other surface. The thread forming the fabric is sufficiently tight in relation to the gauge and thickness of the thread to cause the fabric to fold itself in accordion fashion along the lines of the missing wales.

Such a knit permits localized stretch at any point or area within zone l2 providing greater comfort to the wearer of the garment than is provided by conventional garments of this character. This is highly desirable, particularly in back, seat and crotch areas.

The tube 10, including the plait knit or double-rib knit portion [2 thereof, may be formed on a circular, double-needle row machine, such as that manufactured by the Wildman Manu facturing Company of Morristown, Pennsylvania, wherein both rows of needles are arranged in a continuous uninterrupted circle, and in which one row of needles is arranged generally vertical, such needles being referred to as the cylinder needles, While the other row of needles is arranged generally radially and more or less at right angles to the cylinder needles, the needles of this; other row being generally referred to as the dial needles. Circular double needle row machines may be either of the type in which the needle banks rotate in relation 'to non-rotating cams and thread carriers, or of the type in which the needle banks, do not rotate and instead the actuating cams rotate along with the thread carriers or thread guides. Any of such machines may be readily arranged to knit the plait knit or double-rib knit at one zone and a plain or jersey knit at the remainder of the tube, to thereby produce a circularly-knitted fabric tube such as that shown in broken lines in Fig. l.

The double-rib knit zone I2 is produced by removing, or rendering ineffective and inoperative, one or two needles at regular intervals in each of the two rows or sets of needles in the corresponding zone of the machine, but with the spaces of the removed needles of one row being staggered in relation to the spaces of the removed needles of the other row, and then feeding the thread or yarn alternately over all of the remaining needles in the two rows with sufficient tension to cause the fabric to fold by itself around the points where the one or two needles are missing. In the double-rib knit zone 112, formed as above, the thread forming each course forms a loop alternately on opposite sides of the fabric over a suitable width and then for either two or three stitches only on one face of the fabric and then again on both faces for the same width and then again only on the oppositeface for either two or three stitches, the portions having such loops only on one side or the other constituting the fold :1.

lines.

In cutting the tube 10 to: form a blank from which undergarments or shorts embodying the invention may be formed, the tube is initially flattened to provide superposed layers [4 and IS with the plait-knit zone l2 disposed centrally in one of the resulting layers l6. It should be noted at this point that the circumference of tube It! is substantially greater than the final circumference of the undergarment to be formed there- 7 opposite side edges of the garment.

. 4 from. The reason for this excess circumference will be fully described hereinafter when the manner in which the double layers of fabric in the abdominal area of the garment are provided is explained.

In forming the blank, both layers of the flattened tube I0 are out along a straight transverse line to provide a top edge 18. The layer [4 of the flattened tube (Fig. l) is cut at the center along a transverse, concave line 20, spaced downwardly from top edge 18, along transverse, concave lines 22 and 24 extending from the opposite ends of line 20, and along concave, upwardly inclined lines 26 and 28 extending from the outer ends of lines 22 and 24, respectively to the adjacent folded side edges of the flattened tube. The layer 16 of the flattened tube In (Fig. 2) is cut transversely at its center, in plait-knit zone l2, along convex line 38, which is spaced from the top edge 18 and is below the lowest portion of the lower edge of the layer it cut as previously described, along concave lines 32 and 34 extending from the opposite sides of line 30, and along concave lines 36 and 38 which extend upwardly and outwardly from the outer ends of lines 32 and 34, respectively, to the adjacent folded side edges of the flattened tube. As seen in Fig. 2, the outer ends of lines 36 and 38 are contiguous to the outer ends of lines 26 and 28. respectively.

The layer M of the circularly-knitted tube I0 is then severed along its longitudinal medial line 40 (Fig. 1) and opened flat to provide the blank 42' of Fig. 3 having a top edge 18, opposite side edges 44 and 46, resulting from the severing of the layer l5 along line 40, and a lower edge defined by line at the center, by lines 32, 36, 26, 22 and 20', the latter being a segment of line 20 of Fig. 1, at one side, and by lines 34, 38, 28, 24 and 20", the latter being a segment of line 20 of Fig. 1, at the other side.

In commercial practice, the tube I0 may first be severed along a longitudinal line coincident with line of Fig. l and opened flat before cutting the upper and lower edges to provide the form shown in Fig. 3. In which case, the upper and lower edges are preferably formed simultaneously by stamping the opened tube by means of blanking dies. It will be understood, however, that the same operations may be performed by manually severing the tube as indicated, for example by shears or scissors.

As seen in Fig. 3, blank 42 includes a, depending crotch forming portion or flap 48 in the middle, and by reason of plait-knitted zone l2 of the tube II], the blank further has a zone 50 of plait-knit, such as that previously described, preferably of the same width as the flap and in alignment therewith, which extends from the top edge l8 to the portion 30 of the bottom edge and includes the flap.

To form the body portion 52 (Fig. 4) the outer portions of blank 42 are folded inwardly, along lines 54 and 56 extending vertically from the junctions of lines 35 and 32, and of lines 38 and 34, respectively, to positions overlying the portion of the blank between the fold lines which portion forms the back 58 (Figs. 5 and 6) of the garment. Fold lines 54 and 56 then form the Additional vertical fold lines 60 and 62 extend from the center of lines '22 and 24, respectively, forming parts of the lower edge of blank 42, and the outermost portions of the blank are folded or reverted, towards the respective side edges 54 and-56 'to'provide portions-t4 and-66 (Fig-'5) overlying sections of the front forming portions 68 and 10, respectively. 'As seen-in-Fig. 5, the front forming portions 68 and lfl have a combined width which isgreater than-the width of the back 58 so that the inner edge -6'2--'of port-ion W overlaps the inner edge fiil ofportion 68-to provide a fly opening at the front of 'the garinent. The bottom of the edge 62 of the overlying section 66 is stretched to further overlie the portion 64, whereby the fly opening designated'lz will be disposed atan angle, as seen in. Fig. 4. The overlapping front forming portionsGB and '10 are securedtogether-at the top by the stitching of a waist band. thereto,"as .wiil be described presently, and are secured at a point intermediate the top and bottom thereof by stitching '14 with the opening of' the fly being defined between stitching 14' and a seam'SiJ. The outer free edges of the overlying sections 64 and 66 are secured to front forming portions '58 and '10, respectively, by non-elastic. binding tapes i6 and '18, respectively. The body portion 52 of the garment is completed. by securing the rounded end of the flap 48 to the central concave'portion of the lower edge of the front, formed by sections 22 and 24 of the bottom edge of the blank, along the seam all, so that the crotch poition 48: separates leg openings at'the opposite sides thereof defined] in the rear by sections32 and 34 of the bottom edge and in he front by sections 26, 3t andj28, 38 of the bottom edge.

In conventional garments, stretching of the body portion during movements of the wearer causes the fly to gapopen. In the garment of the present invention any such stretching is confined to the plaiteknitted zone. 58, so that the fly. opening, constructed in the mannerdescribod, will not gap open.

To, complete the undergarment or shorts embodying the invention, a Waist band 82 of elasticized fabric is securedto, the top edge E8 of the body portion 52 (Fig. '7). Thewaistjband 32 may be formed of anelongatedstrip. 84 of suit.- ably elasticized fabric, having. a length greater than the circumference of' the completedfbody portion to provide an overlap at the ifront of the garment whenthe ends of the strip. are secured together, as in Fig. 8, to form a waist, encircling band. As seen in Fig. 8, 91 5 e d of strip 84 is folded back at 8,6, and the folded end is then secured by stitching '88 tofthe other end, with the end edge 900i the latter extend? ing beyond the end edge of the folded portion. to prevent unravelling of the latter. Finally, a circumferential line of stitching 92, secures waist band 82 to the top edge of the body portion, and also secures the overlapping front portions 68 and it together at their top edges. w In conventional garmentsthe ends ofthe'waist band are generally folded over each other at the back of the garment and alabel secured thereto to provide a finished appearance andto prevent unravelling. Such multiple layers at-th'e rear of the garment render the same uncpm- Iortable when thewearer leans against the-back of an unpadded seat. The waist band of the present invention not only presents a nea-ter appearance, but provides greater comfort by r'eason of its construction and-the location of the joined overlapping ends.

In Fig. 9, a modified construction forthewaist band is illustrated, in Whichboth ends- M-and S6 of strip 98 are folded back, and the folded 'ends are secured together bystitchihglUO-L with the aerator folded portionsadjacent each other andtheaend edgesof each withdrawn from the foldedge ofthe other to thereby prevent unravelling of eachof the end edges. In this modified form the ends of the waist band are also joined at the front of the-garment. I

The completed undergarment illustrated in-Fig. 7,- andprovided by the present invention-affords maximum comfort to the wearer, and prevents gaping open of the-fly by reason of the lateral-1y yieldable-section 58 extending down the back, to the seat and crotch areas, and also assists in supporting the abdomen of thewearer by providing adouble thickness ofknitted fabric atthe central portions of the'front above the crotch.

'InFig. '10 a blank M2 is illustrated, from which a modified 'underg-arment or shorts embodying the invention, and seen in its completed state in Fig. ll may be formed. The blank I'd-2 is-preferab1y provided a circularly-knitted tube ofiabri-c, similar-to tube iii of Figs. 1 and 2, having a longitudinal zone EM of a laterally yieldable knit, such as the plait-knit previously described, which tube is longitudinallysevered along a line diametrically opposed to the plaitknitzone to form the side edges 06 and HIB'of theblank. The top edge N0 of blank l52-is preferably straight and forms a trunk opening when the blank is fabricated into a complete body-por tion. The blank is formed with a crotch portion or flap H2, which depends from thelower edge of the blank, and is preferably of a width equal to that of plait-knit section PM 'and-including the latter. In contrast to the first-described embodiment of the invention, the bottom edge H4 or" flap H2 is out straightacross, rather-than being rounded. The remainder of thebottom edge of blank E32 is'formed by-cutting along concave lines M5 and I- I8 extending outwardly from the opposite side edges-of flap H2, concave lines 12% and H2 extending outwardly from the outer ends of lines HE and H8, respectively, the rectangular-cutouts i2 3 and IZB'diSEOSGd-at theouter ends of lines l-Ziland I 22, respectively, and" the concave lines I28 and i3!)extendingupwardly'and outwardly from the outer ends of cutouts 124 and 25 to the-side edges Hit and lflBg-respeotively. 3

in formin thebodyportion [-32 of Fig. 11-, the portions of blank m2 disposed outwardly of ventical fold lines I34 and 1-3-6, which extend from the junctions of bottom edge sections H-B and 1 2i) and sections H8 and IE2, respectivelypare folded inwardly to overlie the portion H38 be tween the fold-lines, which portion is adapted-to provide the back of the body portion, with fold lines we and I36 forming the opposite side edges of the completed body portion. Thefree end portions Md and M2, disposed outwardlyofvertieal fold lines M4 and I 46, respectively, which intersect the centers of cutouts H24 and l-28,are

' folded back along lines M4 and M5 to overlie the front forming sections 448 and Hill, which; are

. bounded at their sides by fold lines l'ee and PM cured to the front forming sections-- litandt'li'lfi,

respectively, .by suitable binding non-elastic tape :52. The'body portion of the modified garment is completed by securing the free end of tab or flap H2 in the rectangular recess at the front, formed by cutouts I24 and 1260f the blanks along the seam I54. Ihe flap H2 when secured as above, provides the crotch portion of the garment and serves to separate the leg openings defined by bottom edge sections H6 and H8 at the rear, and sections I and I28 and sections I22 and I39 at the front. The modified undergarment is completed by securing an elasticized waist-band I56, formed in the manner described in connection with either Fig. 8 or Fig. 9, to the top edge of the body portion with stitching I58,

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the present invention provides improved undergarments which afford maximum comfort to the wearer, provide multiple layers at the abdominal region, retain their shape, prevent gaping open of the fly, permit laundering without affecting their shape, and which can be manufactured in a simple and economical manner.

While I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to those precise embodiments, as obviously various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. A garment of the class described formed of a knitted fabric and comprising a body having a back portion and a front portion, said front portion including two parts overlapping at the center thereof, the outer one of said parts being stretched laterally at the lower end thereof to further overlie the inner one of said parts, and

means securing together the overlapping inner part and outer part at said laterally stretched lower end of the latter and at a location spaced substantially upwardly therefrom to define a fly-opening between said securing means having the overlapping edge of said outer part disposed at an angle relative to the vertical axis of the garment and longitudinally tensioned to resist gaping of said fly-opening.

2. An undergarment formed of a fabric comprising an integral body portion having a rear side and a front side including a pair of sections contiguous at their outer edges with the side edges of said rear side and overlapping at their inner edges to provide a fly opening, an overlying layer integral with the inner edge of each of said sections and secured at its free edge to the respective section, each of said overlying layers extending from said inner edge of the related one of said sections substantially midway to the related side edge of said rear side to provide a zone having multiple layers covering the abdominal area, the lower edges of said rear side and of said sections and overlying layers being shaped to form leg openings, and a crotch portion between said leg openings contiguous with said rear side and joined with said sections and overlying layers at the front.

8. A garment of the class described formed of a knitted fabric and comprising an integral body having a back portion and a front portion, said front portion including a section formed to extend across the abdominal area thereof of multiple layers overlapping at the center, the outermost multiple layers being stretched laterally at the lower ends thereof to further overlie the innermost multiple layers, and means securing together the overlapping innermost multiple layers and outermost multiple layers at said laterally stretched lower ends of the latter and at a location spaced substantially upwardly therefrom to define a fly-opening between said securing means having the overlapping edges of said outermost multiple layers disposed at an angle relative to the vertical axis of the garment and longitudinally tensioned to resist gaping of said fly-opening.

4. An undergarment formed of a knitted fabric comprising an integral body portion having a rear side and a front side including a pair of sections contiguous at their outer edges with the side edges of said rear side and overlapping at their inner ends to provide a fly opening, an overlying layer integral with the inner edge of each of said sections and secured at its free edge to the respective section, each of said overlying layers extending from said inner edge of the related one of said sections substantially midway to the related side edge of said rear side to provide a zone at the front having multiple layers covering the abdomen of the wearer, the lower edges of said rear side and of said sections and overlying layers being shaped to define leg openings, said rear side having a longitudinal zone at the middle thereof of a knit more yieldable laterally than the remainder of said bodyportion, and a crotch portion between said leg openings of the same knit as said zone and being a continuation thereof and being joined with said sections and overlying layers at the front.

5. An undergarment formed of a fabric comprising an integral body portion having a rear side and a front side including a pair of sections contiguous at their outer edges with the side edges of said rear side and overlapping at their inner edges to provide a fiy opening, an overlying layer integral with the inner edge of each of said sections and secured at its free edge to the respective section, each of said overlying layers extending from said inner edge of the related one of said sections substantially midway to the related side edge of said rear side to provide a zone at the front having multiple layers of fabric for supporting the abdomen of the wearer, the lower edge of the rear side being shaped to define the rear portions of leg openings and the lower edges of said sections and said overlying layers being shaped at the parts thereof adjacent said outer edges and free edges, respectively, to define the front portions of leg openings and being upwardly concaved at the center, and a crotch portion between said leg openings contiguous with said rear side and having a rounded front end joined to said sections and overlying layers at said upwardly concaved portion of the lower edges thereof.

6. An undergarment formed of a fabric comprising an integral body portion having a rear side and a front side including a pair of sections contiguous at their outer edges with the side edges of said rear side and overlapping at their inner edges to provide a fiy opening, an overlying layer integral with the inner edge of each of said sections and secured at its free edge to the respective section, each of said overlying layers extending from said inner edge of the related one of said sections substantially midway to the related side edge of said rear side to provide a zone at the front having multiple layers of fabric for supporting the abdomenof the wearer, the lower edge of said rear side being shaped to define the rear portions of leg openings and thelower cram-r01 edgesrof said; sections and overlying; 'laye'rsebeing shapedat theirrouter portions to rdefinerthe front portions; of leg: openings. and at the. center to define a rectangular cutout; and a crotch portion between said leg openings contiguous with said rear side and having a straight front end fitting into said rectangular ."cutout: and. joined to. said sections and overlying layers:

'7, vThe method of :forming the body portion of an undergarment-of thesclass; described I'compris ing circularly knitting aatube of'fabrio: with "a circumference substantially larger than: theide sired circumference of the finished. garment; cut;

ting said tube along. a transverseline toiprovi'de ar-top edge, along a'transverse-line.spacedliouui wardly from said top .edge andhaving-arcuate legopenin'g forming-sections and an: depending flap forming section in the middle, airdalon'g a;longitudinal line diametrically opposed to said flap, opening said tubeto form a flat blank with the central portion. forming. the rear sideofth'e body portion, folding the outer portions 'of said blank inwardly to overlie thecentral portionato provide the front side of vthe body portion, revert ing the free endportions of said foldedputer portions along overlappedlfol'd lines to provide a 1137 opening-at. the center and double thicknesses of fabric at the front, securing the overlapped portions together at the top and bottom of the fly opening, securing the free edges-of the reverted portions to said folded outer portions, and stitching the free end of said .flap to said folded outer portions and reverted portions to thereby provide a crotch portion. M

8. The method of forming the body portion of an undergarment of the class described-comprising circularly knitting a tube of fabric with a circumference substantiall larger than 'the desired circumference of the finished garment'and with a longitudinal zone of a knit more yieldable laterally than the remainder of the tube, cutting said tube along a transverse line to provide a top edge, along a transverse line spaced downwardly from said top edge including a depending flap forming portion contiguous to and including said zone and leg opening forming portions at the opposite sides of said flap, and along a longitudinal line diametrically opposed to said zone, opening said tube to provide a flat blank with the central portion thereof forming the rear side of the body portion, folding the outer portions of said blank inwardly to overlie the central portion and provide the front side of the body portion, reverting the free end portions of said folded outer portions along overlapping fold lines to provide a fly opening at the center and double thicknesses of fabric in a section of the front side, securing the overlapped portions together at the top and bottom of the fly opening, securing the free edges of the reverted portions to said folded outer portions, and stitching the free end of said flap to said folded outer portions and reverted portions at the middle of the front side to thereby provide a crotch portion.

9. The method of forming the body portion of an undergarment of the class described comprising circularly knitting a tube of fabric With a circumference substantially larger than the desired circumference of the finished garment and with a longitudinal zone of a knit more yieldable laterally than the remainder of the tube, cutting said tube along a transverse line to provide a top edge, along a transverse line spaced downwardly from said top edge including a depending flap forming portion contiguous to and ineluding "said zone. and "leg "opening :forming tions'at theopposite sides of 'saidzfiap', aridalong a longitudinal line diametrically opposed: ftozsai'd zone, opening said tube to provide a fiat blank with the central portion 'thereof'forming'the rear side of the body'portion, folding the outr per;- tions of said blankinwar'dly to overlie the ochtral portion. and provide the frontsi'defiof 'tliebody portion, reverting'the. free end portions-of said folded outer portions along overlapping fold lines to provide'a fly opening at the center and double thicknesses 'ofifabric in a section ofsth'e front side,stretching the lower ends of'the fold-= edputer portions laterally to further overlapth fold. lines of. the free'iend portions:thereof=,- se curing the overlapped portions: togeth'er at-the top thereof a-iidiat the bottom of the stretched portions" adjacent the bottom of' the fly open ing, securing the free edgesiof :the reverted'por tions to said'folded outerportions, andsti't'chT- ing the free'endofisaid afi'ap to said fold'edmuteiportions and reverted portions atthe middleot the front side totherebyprovid a crotc'h'po-"r tion..

10. The method 'of formingthe body portion of an undergarment of theclass described having multiple layers'of fabric at the abd'ominal aiea; comprising circularly knitting a tube..of'fabric with a circumference greater thanthe desired circumference'of the finished b'ody porti'on; sever ing the tube along'transve'rse spaced lines were, vide a top edge :for defining atrunk -opening and a'b'ottom edge for defining 'a crotch formingifiap at the middle and l'eg'op'enings at the sides of s'aid flap, severing'the' tube alonga longitudinal 'lin'e diametrically opposed to thefiap and" opening the tube to provide a flat blank," folding the outer ends of said blank tolprovide. double thicknesses of knit fabric; folding. the doubled portions in; wardly to overlie the central section of the blank and with the fold lines of said doubled portions overlapped to provide a front side having a fly opening at the center, and securing the free end of the flap to the bottom edge of said front side at the center thereof to provide a crotch.

11. A garment of the class described formed of a knitted material and comprising an integral body having a back portion and a front portion, said front portion including a section formed to extend substantially across the abdominal area thereof of multiple layers overlapping at the center,- the outermost multiple layers being stretched laterally at the lower ends thereof to further overlie the innermost multiple layers, means securing together the overlapping innermost multiple layers and outermost multiple layers at said laterally stretched lower ends of the latter and at a location spaced upwardly therefrom to define a fly-opening between said securing means having the overlapping edges of said outermost multiple layers disposed at an angle relative to the vertical axis of the garment and longitudinally tensioned to resist gaping of said fly-opening, a, longitudinal zone disposed cen trally in said back portion and formed of a material more yieldable laterally than the remainder of said body, and a crotch portion contiguous with said zone and formed of the same material as the latter, said crotch portion being joined to said front portion below said fly-opening.

12. An undergarment formed of a knitted material and comprising an integral body portion having a rear side and a front side, said front side including a pair of sections contiguous at their outside edges with the side edges of said rear side and overlapping at their inside edges, on overlying layer integral with said inside edge of each of said sections and secured at its free edge to the respective section, each of said overlying layers extending from said inside edge of the related one of said sections substantially midway to the related outside edge of the latter to provide a zone covering the abdominal area having multiple layers overlapping at the center, the outermost of said overlapping multiple layers being stretched laterally at the lower ends therea of to further overlie the innermost of said multiple layers, means securing together the overlapping innermost multiple layers and the outermost multiple layers at said laterally stretched lower ends of the latter and at a location spaced upwardly therefrom to define a fiy-opening between said securing means having the overlapping fold ed e of said outermost layers disposed at an angle relative to the vertical axis of the garment and longitudinally tensioned to resist aping of the fly-opening, the lower edges of said rear side and of said multiple layers being shaped to form leg openings and a crotch portion between said leg openings contiguous with said rear side and joined to the lower edges of said multiple layers at the central part of said front side.

13. The method of forming the body portion of an undergarment of the class described comprising circularly knitting a tube of fabric with a circumference substantially larger than the desired circumferenece of the finished garment; cutting said tube along a transverse line to provide a top edge, along a transverse line spaced from said top edge and having arcuate leg opening forming sections and a projecting flap forming section in the middle, and along a longitudi nal line diametrically opposed to said flap; opening said tube to form a fiat blank with the och tral portion forming the rear side of the body portion; folding the outer portions of said blank inwardly to overlie the central portion and form the front side of the body portion; reverting the free end portions of said folded outer portions along overlapped fold lines to provide multiple layers of fabric at the front overlapping at the center; laterally stretching the outermost of said overlapping multiple layers at the lower ends of the latter to further overlie the innermost of said overlapping multiple layers; securing together said innermost multiple layers and said outermost multiple layers adjacent the laterally stretched lower ends of the latter and at a location spaced upwardly therefrom to define a flyopening between the secured together parts of the overlapping multiple layers having the fold line of said outermost multiple layers disposed at an angle relative to the vertical axis of the body portion and tensioned longitudinally to resist gaping of the fiy-opening; securing the free edges of the reverted portions to said folded outer portions; and stitching the free end of said flap to the lower edges of said overlapping multiple layers to thereby provide a crotch portion.

WILLIAM W. ARTZT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,905,645 Laver Apr. 25, 1933 2,140,459 Reis Dec. 13, 1938 2,191,169 Katz Feb. 20, 1940 2,204,380 Pray June 11, 1940 2,249,198 Carter July 15, 1941 

